Game device



Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,154

J. W. CA! .VERT

GAME DEVICE Filed March 23, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I y \AMILMMM W I AM Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,154

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J. W. CALVERT GAME DEVICE Filed March 23, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 If 50 51 222; if a y Q %;9.

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UNITED STATES JAMES W. CALVERT, F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

GAME DEVICE.

Application filed March 23, 1928. Serial No. 264,069.

This present invention relates to an amusement device which may be optionally used to vend a commodity as a playboard.

The invention more particularly relates to a machine in which the player attempts to make a coin travel a desired path in passing through the machine and at the same time purchase with the coin a confection such as ball gum, peanuts or the like. The device is so constructed that in jurisdiction where playing the machine without a purchase of some commodity is against the law, the device may be set to put in operation the vending mechanism without in any way interfering with the playing of the coin.

To this end the invention comprises a receptacle adapted to contain confections or other prizes or commodities, containing a vending mechanism by means of which a definite quantity or number of prizes may be discharged from the receptacle. The vending or delivering mechanism is made operative by the insertion of a coin in the device, the coin making the desired connection between a playing handle and the delivery mechanism. The coin thus deposited drops after movement of the handle into playing position on the playboard, the confection being at that time deliverd' to the player. As constructed, the cover of the device contains an additional coin slot, also discharging into the same passage through which a coin travels to the play board, this slot being so positioned however, so as to cut out the confection delivery mechanism. In other words, the proprietor of the machine may determine whether the device is to be used solely as a playing board or as a playing board and confection vender, by closing the appropriate coin slot.

The invention further consists in all the novel arrangement, combination and construction of parts more fully hereinafter described and as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device'efnbodymg my invention.

2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view a ong the line 4-4 59 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation at right angles of the device of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 with the lever in discharging position.

F 8 is a view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

F g. 9 is a view along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a view along the line 1010 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a view along the line 1111 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 of a modified form of receptacle.

Fig. 13 is a. view along the Fig. 12. I

Fig. 14 is a view along the line 1414 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 15 is a view along the line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view showing one of the coin slots.

Fig. 17 is a bottom view of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a view along the line 18-18 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a view along the line 19-19 of Fig. 16 showing the slot open.

Fig. 20 is a similar view showing the slot closed. a

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the slot closing assembly.

F Fig. 22 is a view along the line 2222 of Fig. 23 is a view along the line 23-23 of Fig. 22. I

Fig. 24 is a front elevation showing some of the parts in section.

I Fig. 25 is a view along the line 25-25 of Fig. 24.

Referring now' to the embodiment illustrated, I have shown the receptacle to consist of side walls 1 and 2, rear wall 3 secured thereto, a bottom 4 preferably perforated for sanitary reasons, and a cover plate 5. The lower portion of the device is enlarged to hold a suitable money drawer 6 which must be located in position to catch the coins dropping from the playboard.

The front of the machine must in view of the above be constructed in two planes, one comprising a door 7 at the lower portion of the device and coverin the money drawer, and the other a glass pi ate 8 suitably spaced from the playing board 9 which board serves as the front wall of the confection compartline 13-13 of ment. The upper and lower sections of the machine are separated by a floor 10.

The cover 5 of the device is provided with side walls 11 overlapping the walls of the receptacle proper and pins 12 projecting from the side wall 1 engage corresponding apertures 13 in the wall 11 of the cover. The

other end of the top plate is provided with an apertured ear 14 which when the top is in place, is adjacent a corresponding car 15 in side plate 2. As thus positioned, a padlock may be used to secure the two ears together and the top in place. The cover is provided with two coin slots 17 and 18 therein, each of which is contained in a reversible member 19 and 20 respectively. By suitably positioning these members coins may be played through either or both of the slots. Obviously the custodian of the machine may close either or both slots which will depend upon the circumstances. 1

Assume now that slot 17 is turned so as to be available for a coin. Beneath that end of the cover 5 is the delivery mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel 24 having teeth 25 and spaced apart slot 26 on its periphery, said ratchetwheel being mounted on vertical shaft 27 which extends the whole height of the confection compartment. The upper end of the shaft 27 is journaled in a bearing 28 secured to the side wall 1. This bearing is provided with an arm extension 29 which carries stud 30 upon which is mounted pawl 31 having a tooth 32 with a face 33 inclined to teeth 25 in the ratchet wheel. A boss 34 on the pawl engages one end of a coil spring 35, the other end of which engages the bearing plate 28. Pawl 31 is therefore kept in spring pressed engagement with ratchet wheel 24:.

Partially underlying ratchet Wheel 24 and upon the bearin element 28 is a segment 36 through which s left 27 passes, said segment being provided with a coin slot 37 and a playing handled 38 extending outwardly beyond-side wall 1. A portion of the segment adjacent its coin slot is builtup as at 39 so as to be at least as high as the upper surface of the ratchet wheel 24. The walls 39 just clear the ends of the ratchet teeth 25, and the space between the walls 39 together with the, slots a 26 form a coin receiving slot A. The hear ing elements 28 extends beneath the slot A throughout the major portion of its range of movement. A coin placed in this slot rests on element 28 until the extreme front position of the handle and segment has been reached. At this point the coin drops free of the element 223. A spring 40 secured to the segment 36 and arm extension 29 normally holds the segment and handle in the extreme position toward the rear of the device.

From the above it will be seen that the onl connection between playing handle anr ratchet wheel .24 is a coin located in slot A. When a coin is so located, movement of the handle 38 towards the front of the device causes rotation of the ratchet wheel and shaft 27 until the coin drops free of the elemeet 28 into passageway or hopper Backward movement of the handle under action of the spring 40 does not carry the ratchet wheel with it as the connection between the two has been broken. In the forward movement of the handle and ratchet wheel, pawl 31 rides over the teeth 25 but prevents counter clockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel. In this way after each complete movement of the handle 28, a new slot 26 is brought to register with cover slot 17 and walls 39.

To the lower end of the shaft 27 is attached a carriage member 41 having a plurality of cavities 42 therein. The compartment 10 is suitably offset as at 43 in order to completely receive the carriage member 41 so that the top thereof is substantially flush with the floor surface. The floor 10 is apertured as at 44, said apertureunderlying one of the cavities 42 and having a depending flange 44 forming a delivery passage which communicates with delivery chute 45 leading to a trap or receptacle 46 in the front of the door plate 7. A knife blade 47 overlies a portion of the carriage member for a purpose more fully hereinafter described.

As shown, the upper compartment of the receptacle is adapted to be filled with such commodities as ball gum, peanuts or the like, which may be observed through windows 48, and the exposed cavities in the carriage memher will then fill with the desired articles.

Upon depositing a coin in slot 17 as above described and manipulation of the handle 38 the delivery mechanism may be rotated. This movement finally empties the confections from a filled cavity into delivery chute 45. Due to the fact that the cavity directly over the delivery chute opening is covered by the playing board and abutting the glass 8.

The side wall is provided with an opening 53 which permits the coin to project there through and rest against the impact hammer 54 which hangs from the top of fixture 55. The elongated and smaller end 56 of the hammer is enclosed by the lower portion of fixture 55 which thus limits movement of the hammer.

The front face of the playing board is studded with a series of nails 57 which abut the glass 8 so that a coin projected between glass and board, by striking hammer 54 a blow will fall downwardly under the force of gravity in a zigzag course bouncin from nail to nail until discharged at the bottom into money drawer 6. A prize may be offered to a player who is able to discharge a 'When a player is able to make a coin fall in certain diflicult locations, such as for instance between nails 57", 57", 57, 57 or between nails 57', 57, 57 or 57*, a prize may be awarded.

Ordinarily the 7 need give it no attention, as in most instances of play the coin played will drop down into the money compartment without the necessity for a prize. However, a temporary floor. is placed beneath the spaces between the above mentioned nails to visibly hold coins falling thereon until the prize is awarded. 7

This mechanism consists of two arms 58 pivoted as at 59, their overlapping ends bein slotted as at 60 to receive pin 61 carri by plunger 62. This plunger'is carried in bearing bracket 63 and pro ects through the front cover plate 5. To the rear end of the plunger is secured a coil spri 64, the other end of the spring being ma e fast to thebracket 63.

sition the cover the bottoms of the spaces between en ins so that a coin fallin between them will visibly held on the ay board until the plunger is pressed; is action causes the arms to be withdrawn and the dro sinto the money box. v

rom-the above it will-be "seen that a coin deposited through slot 17 may be played on coin.

the board 9 while at the same time the player ment.

receives some commodity or confection. In some States the law requires'that each coin played must give some. return to the player and as such the device meets. this require- However it may be desirable in some instances to merel lay the coin and depend upon the skill o t e player to dischar the coin through certain nails and there y sea cure a prize or return. To this end the coin slot 18 in the cover plate is provided. Coins deposited through this slot pass directly into the chute 49 without passing through the confection delivery mec played in the usual way. I v

his combination of elements is. articularly desirable as this type of machine may therefore be used whether confections must be returned for the moneyplayed or not. proprietor of the machine A gate box is provided in the floor of the commodity compartment throu h which the contents may be dumped when esired.

I claim:

1. Amusement a paratuscomprising avertical playing board a cover therefor forming acoin' space, a plurality of coin deflecting pins carried by said board, means forv projecting a coin into said space, and means for releasabl retaining coins in the side por-' tions of t e lower ends of said space comprising a pair of pivoted arms havin outer end portions adapted to lie beneath said side ortions of the coin space, said arms having t eir inner ends overla ping, fixed pivots supportslots, -a

a spring acting on said plunger.

laying board, a cover spaced therefrom anism and thus may be ing the interme iate portions of the arms, {said overlapping portions havin plunger having a pin engaging sai slots and 2. Amusement apparatus comprising aorminga coin space, coin admitting means,

a plurality of coin de'flectin' pins in said space, a coin supporting she f within said space, a coin chute for leading a coin to said shelf, impact means for projecting the coin from the shelf, a receiving means beneath the coin "space, and means for releasabl retaining said means comprising apair e pivoted arms adapted to lie beneath said coin space, said arms having overlap ing ends. provided with coacting slots, an a spr' pressed plunger having a pin engagingsai slots.

, .;,mm;s w. GALVERT.

In testimony whereof, I afiixmy signature. 

